Collectively these new directors strengthen the foundation's commitment to patient-centered diabetes advocacy. Each brings personal experience as a diabetes patient, advocate, medical practitioner, policymaker, and/or industry professional to the board.

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as an adult, Dr. Moritsugu brings to the board nearly 40 years of experience in the US Public Health Service. He served as Deputy Surgeon General (1998-2007) and Acting Surgeon General (2002 and July 2006-September 2007). Until his recent retirement, Dr. Moritsugu was Vice President, Global Professional Education and Strategic Relations for Johnson & Johnson's Diabetes Solutions Companies and Worldwide Chairman of the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institutes.

"It is a privilege to serve on the Board of the Diabetes Hands Foundation, with so many other passionate individuals, each of us committed to helping people with diabetes live their lives to the fullest," shared an upbeat Dr. Moritsugu.

After a career that included positions in legal services and business and estate planning, Mr. Coles devoted himself to helping find a cure for diabetes as an active volunteer with JDRF for nearly 40 years, following the diagnosis with type 1 diabetes of his daughter Emily.

"I am delighted to be joining the DHF family. When our daughter Emily was diagnosed with T1D in 1978, we didn't know anyone else in town with diabetes and had little information about caring for our daughter and keeping her healthy," Mr. Coles stated. "With DHF, no family today need deal with diabetes on its own and in the dark. DHF can make an enormous positive difference in the lives of so many people."

Robert Geho is CEO of Cleveland-based Diasome Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mr. Geho's family has been touched by both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Living with type 1 diabetes himself, Mr. Geho knows first-hand the challenges associated with daily insulin therapy and has focused his career on life science and technology companies that address these challenges.

"Diabetes Hands Foundation serves a critical role for individuals and families affected by diabetes by providing real connectivity and dialogue about living with this condition in a safe and forward-thinking online community," said Geho. "I am looking forward to helping advance DHF's mission."

The addition of Mr. Moritsugu, Mr. Coles, and Mr. Geho comes at a time when the Diabetes Hands Foundation seeks to make sure there's a patient advocate at every table in the policymaking process and nobody touched by diabetes feels alone. "It is with great pleasure that I welcome Ken, Dayton, and Robert to the Diabetes Hands Foundation Board of Directors," said board Chair Donna Hill. "Their passion, experience, and unique skills will go far to support and guide the organization."

About Diabetes Hands Foundation (DHF)

Diabetes Hands Foundation brings together people touched by diabetes for positive change to make sure that nobody living with this condition ever feels alone. Diabetes can be a very isolating disease. We provide opportunities for people with diabetes and their loved ones to connect and have an open dialog about their experiences with this chronic condition. Instead of looking at the disease, Diabetes Hands Foundation seeks to understand, connect and energize the millions of people living with this condition.

DHF hosts two active online communities for people touched by diabetes: TuDiabetes.org (in English) and EsTuDiabetes.org (in Spanish); the Big Blue Test, a program for empowerment through exercise; and Diabetes Advocates, a consortium of champions for people touched by diabetes.